Page 21 of She's Got that Heat

My hands rub up her back, and along her inner thigh. “You have no idea, Allie. The thought of holding you while we sleep, of waking up next to you every morning, discovering your weird side… I honestly can’t wait.”

“Weird side?”

“I’m sure I have one too. You know, those quirks we don’t realize are…quirky.”

She laughs. “Like how in every couple, one person loads the dishwasher like a military engineer, and the other like a toddler?”

My eyes narrow. “I’m the engineer.”

“I’m a little better than a toddler, I promise.” She sighs. “Can I think about it when I’m not, you know, feeling floaty?”

“Sure.” My lips graze her throat. “You’re probably exhausted after yesterday, so the rest of the weekend is all about rest and rejuvenation.”

“Oh my god!” she gasps. “I was supposed to work the early shift this morning!”

“Shh – it’s fine. I sent Gina a text last night around midnight saying that you were in no condition to make it in to work today. She said it’s no problem, just could you please confirm on Sunday if you’re okay to make it in Monday morning.”

Allie slumps against my shoulder. “Thank you.”

‘That’s what boyfriends are for, baby. To care for the woman they love.”

“Did you…” She looks at me strangely.

It takes a moment of reading her eyes, then it clicks. “Tell you that I love you while you were out of it? Yes. Yes, I did.” Taking her hand, I grin at her wide eyes. “Which means that it doesn’t really count, so I’ll say it again. Allie, I love you.”

Her perfect lips part with a soft gasp. “Really?”

“Yes. It’s okay if?—”

“I love you, t-mphff.”

The last word is muffled as our lips crash together. I’m instantly lost in the feeling of her fingers sliding around my shoulders, the back of my neck. It only takes a moment for the kiss to reach a fever pitch, our bodies moving together frantically.

Suddenly, Allie pulls away. “Your toast is getting cold.”

“Don’t care.” I kiss her again, loving the way she melts against me. This time it’s my turn to pull away. “But you didn’t eat yesterday. Let’s get you some fresh toast.”

We spend the afternoon sinking into this…relationship? Couple-hood? Whatever it is, it feels deeply right.

After eggs and toast, Allie shows me one of the so-called beginners yoga videos on YouTube that she likes. I feel that her body probably does need a good stretch after being so tense yesterday, and I do the video with her, or at least try to, while she alternates between correcting me, praising me, and laughing gently at how stiff I am.

We watch some game shows, make an early dinner and pop it in the oven, and take a slow, short, walk around my property. Partly for the fresh air, and partly to get Allie comfortable with the place.

We chat about future gardening goals, what color the house should be painted when it needs a fresh coat in a few years, and what kind of truck, Jeep, or 4x4 Allie might need someday. Since she hasn’t exactly said that she’s moving in yet – or if sheis, when – I keep everything light, letting her set the pace for whatever timing feels good for her.

After dinner, we discover that we both stack the dishwasher like a military engineer. I crank the air conditioning, and we get ready for bed.

I can’t even describe the deep satisfaction of feeling Allie fall asleep in my arms. Everything is complete. Sure, I’m going to have to learn how to take care of her to the best of my ability, but it’s an honor to have this treasure of a woman beside me.

I just hope I’m worthy of the task.

14

ALLIE

For the past week and a half, I’ve been avoiding the heat.

Just as for most of my life, I’ve been avoiding the heat…that is to say, thelust…associated with men, because I just didn’t click with anyone. The entire situation frankly made me kind of jumpy. I didn’t know how to be close to someone, so my body wouldn’t get comfortable.

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